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Will Middlebrooks and Xander Bogaerts each collected two hits for Boston. One of Middlebrooks’ knocks was a solo homer that put the Red Sox on the scoreboard in the third inning.

The biggest hit of the day, however, came from Grady Sizemore, who gave the Red Sox a 4-2 lead with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. Sizemore’s blast was his first of spring training and his first in a Red Sox uniform.

Clay Buchholz looked very good in his six innings. Buchholz had a shaky third inning, but otherwise was fantastic. The right-hander gave up two runs on three hits — all in the third — while striking out five and walking two.

The Red Sox will be back in action against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. That game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

Mid 9th, Red Sox 4-2: Will Middlebrooks had a nice afternoon.

Middlebrooks, who singled in the ninth inning, reached base three times. He drove in the Red Sox’s first run of the game in the third inning with his third homer of spring training.

Middlebrooks’ ninth-inning single didn’t lead to any additional damage. Josh Lueke completed a scoreless frame for Tampa Bay.

End 8th, Red Sox 4-2: The Red Sox can feel pretty good about the back end of their bullpen to begin the 2014 season.

Sizemore ripped a two-run homer over the right field fence, marking his first home run of spring training. Sizemore, of course, hasn’t trotted around the bases in such a manner since 2011.

Mike Carp paved the way for Sizemore’s two-run blast with a leadoff walk. The Rays turned to Cesar Ramos after Carp’s walk, and Sizemore jumped all over Ramos’ offering two batters later.

This marks a big week for Sizemore, who is beginning a stretch in which he’ll play five games in six days (including three consecutive games). John Farrell said Tuesday the Red Sox likely won’t carry both Sizemore and Jackie Bradley Jr. on the club’s Opening Day roster if Shane Victorino is healthy.

End 5th, 2-2: Clay Buchholz’s only hiccup has been the third inning. The right-hander otherwise has been very sharp.

Buchholz tossed another 1-2-3 inning in the fifth, although he nearly threw it away — literally.

Sean Rodriguez led off with a slow roller in the infield. Buchholz charged off the mound to grab it and nearly threw the ball away at first base. Fortunately for the Red Sox, Mike Napoli laid out to make the catch while managing to keep his foot on the bag.

Boston responded to Tampa Bay’s two-run inning with another run of its own in the fourth inning.

Xander Bogaerts drove in Mike Napoli from second base with a two-out single into left field.

Napoli nearly left the yard earlier in the inning, as he drove a fly ball to right field that took Wil Myers onto the warning track. Myers probably should have made the catch, but it popped out of his glove.

End 3rd, Rays 2-1: The Rays delivered a hard counter-punch in the third inning.

Tampa Bay scored two runs on three hits and a walk to grab a 2-1 lead.

Sean Rodriguez led off with a single, and Jose Molina drove him in with a double into the right field corner.

Clay Buchholz then retired Yunel Escobar on a line drive to right field that hung up long enough for Jackie Bradley Jr. to make the play.

Buchholz walked David DeJesus, which set the table for Wil Myers. Myers made it 2-1 with a line drive into left field.

Mid 3rd, Red Sox 1-0: Will Middlebrooks took Jake Odorizzi deep in the third inning to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead.

Middlebrooks kicked off the frame with a solo blast to left. It was Middlebrooks’ third home run of spring training.

Jackie Bradley Jr. struck out swinging for the first out of the third, which certainly doesn’t bode well for his center field candidacy.

1:04 p.m.: The first pitch is expected to be delivered at 1:20 p.m. Set your alarm.

1:02 p.m.: It looks like this one will be delayed by at least a few minutes. The grounds crew is taking care of business in Port Charlotte.

12:30 p.m.: Shane Victorino is one name missing from the Red Sox’s starting lineup.

Victorino originally was scheduled to play Tuesday, but he has been scratched due to discomfort in his left side. Red Sox manager John Farrell said he still expects Victorino to be ready for Opening Day, although this latest ailment certainly raises questions about the outfielder’s availability.

Farrell also told reporters Tuesday that the Red Sox still are having internal discussion regarding the club’s center field competition between Grady Sizemore and Jackie Bradley Jr. If Victorino is healthy, the Red Sox will not carry both Sizemore and Bradley.

Read more about Victorino’s status and the Red Sox’s center field battle at the link below.

Clay Buchholz gets the nod for Boston, marking his fifth start of spring training. Buchholz owns a 2.77 ERA (four earned runs in 13 innings) over his first four starts.

Buchholz gave up three runs on five hits over five innings in his last outing against the New York Yankees on Thursday. Buchholz wasn’t quite as sharp as he had been in his three previous starts, but the right-hander, who dealt with injury woes last season, appears to be responding well physically to everything thrown his way.

The Red Sox and Rays are scheduled to get started at 1:05 p.m. Be sure to tune in on NESN, and keep it right here with NESN.com throughout the day for updates.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle.